KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) said making running red lights a non-compoundable offence is the right course of action if the courts can handle the influx of cases.
"If the court can handle the number of summonses, then yes, it's the right thing to do," said Miros chairman Wong Shaw Voon.
On Nov 20, police said they were exploring the possibility of making traffic violations like running red lights, non-compoundable offences.
This would mean offenders would be brought straight to court instead of being offered to pay a compound.
Wong said that court hearings would allow offenders to present their case, giving judges the opportunity to consider mitigating factors.
He said effective enforcement relied on the certainty, speed and severity of penalties.
"If the penalty is severe enough, it will make people think twice before repeating the offence," he said.
Wong also highlighted the role of technology in improving road safety, such as the Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) cameras.
"Awas cameras are highly effective because they operate 24/7 and provide quick evidence," he said, and suggested that these cameras be also used to detect red-light runners.
However, Wong expressed concerns about using dashcam footage as evidence, as such videos must meet legal standards to be admissible in court.
Lawyer Dinesh Muthal acknowledged that taking offenders to court would strain a system already handling a large number of cases. But he supports the police's push, in light of the increasing number of traffic accidents involving casualties.
"It is a needed amendment," he said, adding that stricter penalties could deter offenders and improve road safety.
"At the beginning, the number of cases may rise, and additional courtrooms might be needed to handle the increased caseload," Dinesh said.
Despite these concerns, Dinesh is optimistic that the change will lead to positive results.